WASHINGTON Rep. Pete A. Tenorio says Congressman George Miller could be an “ally” of the commonwealth in its efforts to institute labor reforms.
Tenorio, in a letter to Gov. Juan N. Babauta, said the author of “federal takeover” legislation is willing to support any effort to “institute labor reforms that provide protection and advocacy for all workers in the CNMI.”
Tenorio earlier asked Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., to include the CNMI’s industry-tiered minimum wage proposal in his legislation to increase the minimum wage rate.
Miller, D-Calif., has shown interest on the implementation of an industry wage review system in the commonwealth, Tenorio said.
He said he recently met with the lawmaker’s staff director, Dr. John Lawrence, to discuss the industry-based minimum wage system.
Miller also wanted documents that will back up the CNMI government’s claims of implementing labor reforms, Tenorio said.
Specifically, Miller wanted to know the number of labor complaints filed within the last three years, and a description of the processes and mechanisms in place to address the complaints in a timely manner.
Miller wanted to know the status of the complaints, including the time frame to hear and resolve them.
Tenorio said the U.S. lawmaker is also interested in the current status of non-resident workers in the garment industry.
Miller wants to know how many non-resident workers are there in the industry and how freely can they transfer between employers, Tenorio said.
He said the congressman is “specifically concerned” about the price that some workers pay to acquire employment in the CNMI.
Miller also wants to prevent the “extortion” of workers.
Tenorio said he agreed that labor reforms in the CNMI must be “sincere, consistent, and permanent.”
“Otherwise, the CNMI will face continued threats of federalization of immigration and the implementation of federal minimum wage,” he added.
Miller supported CNMI labor and immigration reform efforts in the early 1990s. He began pushing for the extension of federal minimum wage and immigration laws to the islands only after the CNMI government repealed or “diluted” reform measures
